“…each generation of Villanova graduates has released its own ...

Fortune 500 customers. He currently is president and CEO
of the firm. Along with co-authoring numerous papers and a
best-selling textbook (Java Software Solutions), he serves on
the boards of the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia and
Helping Hands, an organization that provides resources to
abandoned and sick children in India.
Father Dobbin presented the Young Alumni
Medal to Christy Hansen ’97 A&S of
Friendswood, Texas, who exemplifies the pioneering
spirit of Villanova. Since 1999 Hansen
has served as a NASA space flight engineer
at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. As
part of the Extra-vehicular Activities Group,
she helps educate and train crew members who
work outside the International Space Station to navigate and perform
a variety of tasks. Hansen also works in the Mission Control
Center in Houston during space missions as a flight controller (a
profile of Hansen appeared in the Spring Villanova Magazine).
See page 26 for a photo of the honorees.
A gala and goodbyes
The pinnacle of the weekend was no doubt the Alumni Gala
in the Pavillion, with a cocktail reception followed by dinner
and dancing. Spirits were high as the 1985 men’s basketball
team members and their supportive classmates talked of
the 20th anniversary of Villanova’s Cinderella victory over
Georgetown. The Pavilion resonated with pride, energy, and
the laughs and smiles of all the alumni in attendance.
On Sunday, June 12, St. Mary’s Hall
Dining Hall featured a farewell brunch
between parish masses at St. Thomas of
Villanova Church. The farewell to the
departing alumni was also a farewell to
the Rev. Keith J. Hollis, O.S.A., parochial
vicar, who is leaving to become the
pastor of a parish in Troy, N.Y. It was a
fitting way to say goodbye not only to
a wonderful priest but to the spirited alumni group that made
this the most highly attended Alumni Reunion Weekend in
Villanova’s history. But hopefully next year’s gathering will
bring this record-breaking Reunion’s rein to an end. You are
invited to help make that happen on June 9-11, 2006.
“We had a ball, and our class
had a great turnout. We
cannot wait to do it again.”
—Lisa Carrick ’85 C&F
Fan e-mails
Not only was this year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend highly
attended, but it was highly enjoyed as well. E-mails came rolling
in from many Villanovans, offering congratulatory and
24 Villanova Magazine